Mark, the Professional

Chapter 13 An Exchange

It was around four o’clock in the afternoon when Mark arrived at The Club. He knocked at the bar counter and said, “I’d like to see your big boss, Mr. Billy Lao.” 

The boy behind the counter recognized him straight away. “The champion!” He exclaimed. “I mean, Mr. Jackson. Come with me please.”

Since Mark walked away with a hundred thousand pounds last time, people remembered him as ‘the champion’. However, Billy Lao had requested his staff to address Mark with respect and thus, Mr. Jackson.

“Mr. Lao said that whenever Mr. Jackson visits, we should take him to the VIP room. So I shall take you there and Mr. Lao happens to be in today.” The boy explained as he ushered Mark to the third floor. “Enjoy. I shall get back to the bar counter now.” He said politely as he pointed at the door to the VIP area.

Mark pressed a button at the door and it opened automatically. In he marched casually and noticed how luxuriously decorated the place was. Billy Lao surely knows how to enjoy himself. Mark thought.

“Great to see you again. Would you like to have a game with me?” Billy shook Mark’s hand with a smile and passed him a cue.

“With pleasure,” Mark said. He had come with a mission today and he needed help from Billy. I shall make him pleased.

It was obvious that Billy was an experienced professional and had learned the skill and strategies properly. He showed absolute confidence and passion while playing snooker. Mark, though, only learned by playing for fun and self-entertainment, which actually gave him the advantage of surprising people with his unpredictable and unusual tactics.

“It’s such a pleasure to play with you, Mark. I really enjoyed it.” Billy said as he put the cue down after pocketing the last ball.

Hmm, he now calls me Mark. That’s a good sign. Mark thought.

“The pleasure is mine.” Mark said with a smile and gave Billy a handshake. “Hmm, you have got cold hands.” Mark commented, noticing that Billy’s hand was unusually cold.

“Yeah. It’s been a problem for a long time. I’ve seen many doctors and expects but none could help.” Billy shook his head and seemed reluctant to talk about it.

“If you don’t mind, I can check your pulse. I know a bit about Chinese medicine treatment.” Mark suggested.

Billy looked a bit displeased. He gave Mark a skeptical look, thinking if Mark had heard something about his health issue. “I didn’t know that you know TCM,” Billy said tentatively.

“My master loves traditional Chinese medicine and I would say he’s a master in TCM. I’ve learned a bit from him through the years.” Mark replied humbly, seeing that Billy didn’t really trust him. “But no worries. It was just a suggestion.” Mark added.

Now Billy found Mark’s humble attitude rather convincing. Billy was, in fact, testing Mark, trying to see if Mark came to see him with a certain intention.

He was at senior Mr. Lawrence’s birthday party and he witnessed the incident there. He had gathered that as long as senior Mr. Lawrence was alive, Mark could play a significant role in the Lawrence family despite the fact that they did not accept him yet. And that was the main reason that Billy was being nice to Mark.

“I think it’s a great suggestion,” Billy said with a smile. Though he agreed to have Mark check upon him, he didn’t really believe that he was capable of curing him. Mark sat Billy down, put his hand on Billy’s wrist and just within a few seconds, he exclaimed, “Aha!” 

He knitted his brows. “Hmm. The other hand please.” 

Billy grew a bit worried, seeing the frown on Mark’s face.

“Do you have trouble sleeping? And you dream a lot? Your breathing is often short and rapid and you often have cold feet and cold hands.” Mark concluded.

Billy was very surprised. He had seen various doctors, including a few famous Chinese medicine experts, but they couldn’t really tell the exact symptoms. Mark’s diagnosis was accurate.

“Hmm. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but do you perhaps have some issues in having s*x as well? I mean, getting hard.” Mark asked, trying to sound as least offensive as possible.

Billy was much more impressed by Mark’s diagnosis than feeling embarrassed. “Right.” He answered, almost with excitement. “Perhaps you know how to solve the problem?”

“I guess you don’t have any children yet?” Mark asked.

Billy hesitated and then shook his head. “No. I don’t.” He felt a sudden fear.

“Well, it’s not really a serious issue. It’s just that it’s been a long time and you have taken some medicines that had some side effects, including having difficulty in having children.” Mark explained.

“Do you, do you mean that I can’t have children?” Billy asked worriedly.

“Well, I’m here to help you, aren’t I? ” Mark assured him. “We are friends. Friends are supposed to help each other, right? Actually, I can give you an acupuncture treatment for now.” Mark said with a smile.

While Mark was putting needles in certain points on Billy, he asked casually, “Mr. Lao…”

“Just call me Billy, Mark,” Billy said.

“Billy, you must have met a lot of people. I wonder if you know who the most popular model or actress is now. My wife is looking for a spokesperson for an advertisement for her new products.” Mark said, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Aha, that’s what he wants. Billy thought. He is a clever one. He’s doing me a favor merely for the sake of asking help from me.

Billy recalled what Tony Jones said to the Lawrence during the party and figured out that Tony must have made a move and Kate Lawrence had trouble finding a spokesperson now. He happened to be seeing and supporting a new girl who was very successful now and that was Lizzie Roberts.

Lizzie Roberts, known for her leading role in the film The Heroine, which won the Oscar award last year, had become the most wanted actress in the film industry. Yet, few knew about the relationship between her and Billy Lao nor the fact that it was Billy Lao that got her the role.

If Mark had asked Billy directly, Billy would have refused to help, but now that Billy needed Mark’s help, he couldn’t say no.

“Hmm. I think I do know someone.” He said finally.